Soap dispenser



Oct. 1953 R. c. MANSPERGER SOAP DISPENSER Filed April 27, 1950 w lllllllllllllllllllllll ll (Iltornegs Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SOAP DISPENSER Richard C. Mansperger, North Kansas City, Mo. Application April 2'7, 1950, Serial No. 158,463

This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus and more particularly to dispensers for powdered soap and the like, such as are used in public lavatories, factory washrooms, and similar places.

It is desirable that dispensers for powdered soap be so arranged and operated for delivering a relatively small quantity of the soap into the same hand which effects the dispensing operation. Dispensers in common use have valve members adapted to seat and close the discharge openings, and it has been found in operation of devices of this character the dispenser is rendered inoperative due to the packing of the powdered soap or like material around the dispensing valve and also the bridging of the soap adjacent said valve. Such conditions are accelerated when using material such as soap which has a tendency to cake or agglomerate, especially under humid or moist conditions, and it has been found that frequently operators open the cover of the dispensers and place wet hands therein causing the soap to become wet and lumpy. Such conditions necessitate frequent emptying of the container and cleaning of same before it can be operated successfully. In some instances, the dispensers are apparently rendered inoperative by persons playfully or maliciously putting water or other foreign objects into the dispenser.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a soap dispenser and mounting therefor to prevent unauthorized access to the body of powdered soap contained therein; to provide a soap dispenser of attractive appearance that can be mounted on a wall with the fastenings concealed or secured against unauthorized removal; to provide an intermediate chamber between the container and discharge chamber whereby the bottom supports the soap in the container and prevents the entire weight of same from packing soap in the intermediate chamber around the valve member; to provide a soap dispenser with a discharge chamber separated from the main body of soap in the dispenser and having such communication therewith as to limit the quantity of soap in the discharge chamber, the weight of the main body of soap in the dispenser being supported independently of the discharge chamber;

to provide a metering valve and discharge chamber, the chamber being normally open and the valve closing said chamber while metering the soap to be moved into said chamber; to provide a soap dispenser with a novel form of valve construction in which the closure of the discharge opening is not dependent upon pressure engage- 6 Claims. (Cl. 222181) 2 ment of a valve with a seat but is effected by means of a freely sli-dable body; to provide a valve and operator therefor whereby the soap discharged from the dispenser passes through the valve and operator; to provide a valve operator so shaped as to distribute the discharged quantity of soap powder over a relatively large area in the palm of the hand, effecting the dispensing operation; and to provide a soap dispenser and mounting therefor which is economical to manufacture, of attractive appearance, and efficient in operation, easily serviced, but having an interior and operating mechanism that are relatively inaccessible to unauthorized persons. In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a soap dispenser embodying the features of the present invention in operative position.

Fig. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of the dispenser and mounting therefor.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the soap dispenser on the line 3--3, Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the soap dispenser and mounting therefor with the valve in position for flow of soap from the discharge chamber.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view through the soap dispenser illustrating the valve in position for receiving a metered quantity of soap for delivery to the discharge chamber.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through the discharge chamber and valve on the line t6, Fi 4.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a soap dispenser preferably formed of sheet metal and having a hollow body or container 2 for containing a suitable quantity of powdered soap. The container 2 includes a front wall 3 and side walls 4 and 5 which are preferably formed of a single sheet bent in a U-shape whereby the front wall is substantially semicylindrical, and the side walls are relatively fiat and terminate in vertical edges 6, at the rear of the container. A rear wall I is suitably secured as by welding or the like to the side walls 4 and 5. Said rear wall is coextensive with the height of the walls 3, 4, and 5, and preferably consists of a panel 8 having rearwardly bent flanges 9 at the side edges thereof, the width of the panel being such that said flanges engage the inner surfaces of the walls 4 and 5 and the rear edges of the flanges coincide with the rear edges 6 of the walls 4 and 5. The flanges 9 are secured to the walls 4 and as by welding whereby the panel 8 is inset from the rear edges of the walls. The upper portion of the panel 8 is provided with an opening I I of suitable area to serve as a fill opening as later described.

The upper end of the container 2 is closed by a cover l2 having a top wall [3 substantially corresponding in size to the outer dimensions of the walls 3, 4 and 5 whereby the rear edge [4 of said cover is coextensive with the edges 6 and,

of the walls 4 and 5, and the flanges 9 respectively. The cover is provided with downwardly turned flanges l5 of the walls 3, 4 and 5, and suitably secured to said Walls as by welding or the like, It is preferengaging the outer surfaces valve member. The tube 28 is provided with ports 38 in the discharge chamber adjacent the bottom wall 27 and the valve member is provided with ports 39 which register with the ports 38 when the valve is in its lowermost position and provide communication between the discharge chamber and a bore 40 extending upwardly in the valve member to a point slightly above the ports 39. i

The lower end of the valve member is provided with an outwardly flared, funnel-shaped wall 41 to form a large opening 42 at the lower end of the valve or discharge member. The lower end of the wall 4! preferably has a bead or otherwise rounded edge 43 to protect the hand of the user against injury from any sharp edges. The

able that the cover be permanently fixed to tllel walls of the container to prevent access to said-- container by removal of the cover. However, obviously the cover could bemaderemovable for servicing of the dispenser if desired.

A bottom It is inset into the body in spaced relation to the lower edges ll of the walls 3, 4 and 5, and the panel 8, said bottom preferably consisting of a wall l8 suitably shaped to have continuous engagement with the front wall 3, side walls 4 and 5, and rear panel 8, and the wall [8 is preferably provided with a downwardly turned flange l9 suitably secured to the respective vertical walls as by welding or the like whereby said bottom is permanently secured thereto.

The bottom wall l8 preferably slopes downwardly and inwardly and has a central opening 29. A subbottom Wall 2| is removably secured to the bottom wall l8 and is depressed to form an intermediate chamber 22, said subbottom 2| having a central valve opening 23 aligned with the opening and defined by a depending flange or tubular portion 24. A shell 25 is secured to the subbottom wall 2| and depends therefrom concentrically of the tubular portion 24, said shell being larger than the tube portion and providing a space 26 therebetween. The lower end of the shell is provided with a downwardly and inwardly sloping bottom wall 2'! and secured to the inner edges of said bottom is a tube 28 coaxial with the tubular portion 24 and having a bore 29 of the same size as the bore 30 of the tubular portion 24. The tube 28 extends above and below the bottom wall 21 and forms a guide for a discharge or valve member 3|. The upper end of the tub 28 is spaced from the lower end of the tubular portion 24 to provide a port 32 therebetween, said port being of less vertical length than the length of thetubular portion 24.

The valve member 3| is slidably mounted in the bores 29 and 30 and has a portion extending into the container provided with lugs 33 engageable with the subbottom wall 2| to limit downward movement of the valve member. The lugs ar resiliently retained in engagement with the subbottom wall 2| by springs 34 having one end secured to cars 35 secured to the subbottom wall 2! on the inside of the container. Th other ends of said spring are secured to an extension 36 of the valve member 3|, said extension being rotatable relative to the valve member whereby an operator can turn the valve member Without interference with operation. The valve member is provided with a peripheral groove 3''! having a length corresponding substantially to the port 32 and a suitable depth whereby said groove will contain approximately the desired amount of soap to be delivered on one reciprocation of the and side walls 4 and 5,

funnel-shaped wall preferably is spaced below the lower edge of the tube 28 suificiently whereby 'upward movement of the valve member to move the lower end of the groove 37 substantially in alignment with the subbottom wall 2| also effects engagement of the upper end of the funnel-shaped wall with the lower end of the tube 28 to form an upper limit for movement of the valve member. Apertures 43' are provided in the funnel-shaped wall 3! to prevent the trapping of air in the discharge member by the hand effecting movement thereof as later described. Th relative positioning of the ports, grooves and intermediate portions of the tubes 24 and 28 and valve member 3i are such that when the valve member is raised, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the groove 31 will be located in the intermediate chamber whereby soap flows into said groove. As the valve member is lowered, the groove being of less length than the tubular portion 24, the soap located in the roove will be confined by the tubular portion 24. As the valve member reaches its lower limit, the groove will register with the port 32 whereby the soap will be discharged into the discharge chamber, and then through the ports 38 and 39 and bore 40 into the hand of the operator.

The front wall 3 of the body is preferably provided with an aperture 44 which is closed by a transparent member 45 which provides a view of the level of the powdered soap in the dispenser whereby it may be determined when same needs to be serviced.

The body is preferably mounted on a bracket 46 adapted to be secured to a wall or other support. The bracket preferably consists of a panel 41 substantially coextensive with the panel 8, said panel 47 terminating at its sides in outwardly bent flanges 48 suitably spaced to extend into a recess portion at the back of the container 2 in engagement with the inner surfaces of the flanges 9. The panel 4! is preferably provided with a plurality of apertures as adapted to receive suitable fastening devices, such as screws or the like, for fastening the panel to a wall or other support.

Pins 50 are fixed adjacent the lower end of the flanges 48 and extend outwardly or laterally thereof and are adapted to be'engaged in bayonet slots 5! adjacent the lower ends of the flanges 9 whereby the container 2 is removably connected to the bracket 66 and said pins also form a pivotalconnection for said container. The side walls :3 and 5 and flanges 3 are preferably provided with aligned apertures 52 adapted to align with apertures 53 in the flanges ii! whereby a bar 55 may be inserted therethrough, one end of said bar having a bent portion forming a head 55 in engagement with the side wall in the container and the other end of .the intermediate chamber.

soap flows therethrough and games '5 said bar is provided with an aperture ,56"for receiving a locking device 51 for securing the bar in place, whereby the bar, locking device and engagement of the pins 50 with the bayonet slots 3| prevent unauthorized removal of the dispenser or other unauthorized. access to the interior thereof. It is preferable that a plate 58 be suitably secured to the bracket 43 whereby when the container 2 is secured to the bracket said plate will engage thepanel 8 and substantially close the fill opening ll.

In operating a soap dispenser constructed as described the bracket 46 is permanently fixed to a wall or other suitable support. The bayonet slots are then engaged over the pins 50 to provide a removable pivotal connection between the container 2 and bracket 46. The container is hinged outwardly or removed by disengaging the slots 5| from the pins 58 if more convenient, and powdered soap poured into the opening ll until said container is substantially filled with the powdered soap. The container is then hinged upwardly whereby the flanges 9 engage over the flanges 48 and the apertures 52 align with the apertures 53, the plate 58 substantially closing the opening II. The bar 54 is then inserted through the apertures 52 and 53 and the locking device engaged with the aperture 53 to prevent unauthorized removal of the bar 54 and unauthorized access to the interior of the container.

The apparatus is then in position to dispense soap into the hand of an operator.

The soap flows from the container through the opening 20 to the intermediate chamber 22, but does not pack therein as the weight of the main body of soap is supported by the bottom wall H3. The normal position of the valve member 3| is illustrated in Fig. 4, and by engagement of the lower beaded edge 43 ofthe funnel-shaped wall 4! by the palm of the hand of the operator an upward pressure being applied thereby, the valve member 28 will move upwardly in the tubes 28 and 28, extending the springs 34. It is customary for an operator to give a quick movement of his hand in forcing the valve member 3| upwardly whereby the lower end of the tube 28 will be engaged by the upper end of the funnel-shaped wall providing a jar causing the soap to tend to fiow downwardly into the groove 31 in the valve member. Also the movement of the springs in the powdered soap of the container tends to loosen said soap and prevent bridging thereof. The springs 34 tend to move the valve member downwardly to the end of its stroke as limited by the lugs 33. As the valve member is moved upwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the ports 38 are closed by the valve member 3| and the groove 3'1 moves into the container where said groove is filled with soap powder. On downward movement of the valve member, the soap located in the groove 31 is confined by the tubular member 24 whereby when the lower edge of the groove 37 opens into the port 32, the upper end of said groove is below the upper end of the tubular portion '24, thereby closing off any flow from As the soap is delivered through the port 32 to the discharge chamber, the ports 38 and 39 register and said through the bore 48 of the valve member into the hand of the operator, the funnel-shaped wall 41 confining the distribution of the powdered soap to the palm oi. the hand and preventing the soap from being wasted by missing the hand. With this arrangement the normal position of the valve member 6 is such that there is substantially no "soap trapped in the discharge member, and sincethc ports 38 and 38 are normally in registry, air can pass through same into the discharge chamber and effect evaporation of any moisture therein.

Sudden movement of the palm of the hand of an operator into engagement with the lower edge of the funnel-shaped member will cause air to move upwardly in the funnel-shaped member, but the air escapes through the apertures 43' and therefore said sudden movement of the hand does not compress any air and effect movement thereof through the ports 38 and 33 when they are in registry. Therefore this arrangement eliminates interference of free discharge of the soap powder by air movement. As the level of soap powder in the container recedes it may be observed through the transparent member 45 and when it reaches the level adjacent the lower edge of the aperture 44 the dispenser should be serviced by removing the lock member 55, bar 54, andhinging the container outwardly on the pins 58 whereby more soap powder may be placed in the container by pouring said powder through the opening 1 l. After refilling the container it is then again locked in position on the bracket for further dispensing of the soap powder. 7

It is believed obvious that I have provided a soap dispenser and mounting therefor which prevents unauthorized access to the interior,

yet provides a positive efficient dispensing of the soap powder into the palm of the hand of the operator. 7

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A dispenser for powdered soap and the like comprising, a container having a bottom with an opening, a shell fixed on the bottom, a tubular member fixed to the lower end or the shell coaxial with the opening in the bottom, said shell and tubular member forming a discharge chamber below the bottom for receiving soap from the container, said tubular member having ports opening in the discharge chamber'immediately above the lower end of the shell, a valve member slidable in the tubular member and opening in the bottom and having a coaxial bore open at the lower end of said valve member, and a pcripheral groove in the valve member movable in and out of the container for metering soap and delivering same to the discharge chamber, said valve member having ports normally in registry with the ports in the tubular member for delivering soap from the discharge chamber through the bore of the valve member.

2. A dispenser for powdered soap and the like comprising, a container having a bottom with an opening, a tubular member fixed to the bottom and depending therefrom around said opening, a shell fixed to the bottom and surrounding the tubular member and spaced therefrom, a second tubular member coaxial with the first named tubular member and supported on the lower end of the shell, said first and second tubu lar members being spaced apart longitudinally thereof, said shell and second tubular member forming a discharge chamber below the bottom for receiving soap from the container, said second tubular member having ports opening in the discharge chamber immediately above the lower end of the shell, a valve member slidable in the tubular members and having a coaxial bore open at the lower end of said valve member, said valve member having ports normally in registry with the ports in the second tubular member, a p.6- ripheral groove in the valve member normally registering with the space between the tubular members for communication with the discharge chamber and movable into the container for receiving soap therefrom for delivery to said discharge chamber, means acting on the valve member to position same for normally opening the ports, and means on the valve member for confining the area on which the soap is delivered.

3. A dispenser for powdered soap and the like comprising, a container having a bottom with a central opening, a shell depending from the bottom substantially centrally thereof, a depending flange surrounding the opening, a tubular member supported on the shell in spaced relation to the bottom coaxial with the opening therein and extending above and below the lowerportion of the shell, said tubular member having an upper end spaced from the lower end of the flange, said tubular member having ports immediately above the lower end of the shell, valve means slidably mounted in the tubular member and having a metering recess therein, said valve means having a bore open to the lower end thereof and ports communicating with the bore of the valve means and normally in registry with the ports in the tubular member, movement of said valve means selectively positioning the metering recess in communication with the container for receiving soap and in registry with the space between the flange and tubular member for discharge of soap therethrough, said metering recess being in registry with said space between the flange and tubular member when ports in the valve means register with the ports in the tubular member for flow of said discharged .soap through the ports and valve means bore,

and means for confining the area onwhich the soap is delivered.

4. A dispenser forpowdered soap and the like comprising, a container having a bottom with an opening substantially centrally thereof, a wall extending downwardly from the bottom and 'cooperating therewith to define a discharge chamber, a tubular member carried by the wall and extending upwardly therefrom and terminating below the bottom, said tubular member having discharge ports opening into 'the discharge chamber immediately above the wall, a valve member slidable in the tubular member and having a coaxial bore open to the lower end of said valve member, said valve member having ports normally in registry with the ports in the tubular member for delivery of soap from the discharge chamber through the ports and bore of the valve member, a metering recess in the valve member above the tubular member, said valve member being movable to selectively position the metering recess above and below the bottom, means on the lower end of the valve member for confining the area on which the soap is delivered, means for limiting the extent of relative movement or the tubular member and valve member, and resilient means engaging the valve member and bottom for urging the valve member to the downward limit of its movement which is the normal position of said valve member with the ports in registry.

5. A dispenser for powdered soap and the like comprising, a container having a bottom with an opening, a downwardly and inwardly directed wall fixed on the bottom and forming an intermediate chamber therebetween, said wall having an opening aligning with the opening in the bottom, a shell fixed on and depending from said wall, a tubular member fixed to the lower end of the shell coaxial with the openings in the wall and bottom, said shell and tubular member forming a discharge chamber below the intermediate chamber for receiving soap therefrom, said tubular member having ports opening in the discharge chamber immediately above the lower end of the shell, a valve member slidable in the tubular member and opening in the wall and having a coaxial bore open at the lower end of said valve member, and a peripheral groove in the valve member movable in and out of the intermediate chamber for metering soap and delivering same to the discharge chamber, said valve member having ports normally in registry with the ports in the tubular member for delivering soap from the discharge chamber through the bore of the valve member.

6. A dispenser for powdered soap and the like comprising, a container having a bottom with a central opening, a subbottom removably mounted on the bottom and having a portion spaced therefrom forming an intermediate chamber therebetween, said subbottom having an opening align ng with the opening in the bottom, a shell depending from the subbottom substantially centrally thereof, a depending flange surrounding the opening in the subbottom, a tubular member supported on the shell in spaced relation to the subbottom coaxial with the opening therein and extending above and below the lower portion of the shell, said tubular member having an upper end spaced from the lower end of the flange, said tubular member having ports immediately above the lower end of the shell, valve means slidably mounted in the tubular member and having a metering recess therein, said valve means having a bore open to the lower end thereof and'ports communicating with the bore and normally in registry with the ports in the tubular member, movement of said valve means selectively positioning the metering recess in communication with the intermediate chamber for receiving soap and in registry with the space between the fiange and tubular member for discharge of soap therethrough, said metering recess being in registry with said space between the flange and tubular member when the ports in the valvemeans register with the ports in the tubular member for fiow of said discharged soap through the ports and valve means bore, and means for confining the area on which the soap is delivered.

RICHARD C. MANSPERGER.

References Cited .in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

